Blog

Thank you to the many groups that braved the mild but seemingly never-ending winter we had this year to volunteer or tour our campus! If your group would like to volunteer or tour, contact Alina Crews (404.327.5854).

Youth attending the D Now conference at Mount Bethel UMC volunteered as part of their weekend retreat.

These lovely ladies from Washington GA brought a car FILLED with diapers when they arrived for their tour.

The confirmation class of Griffin First UMC toured our campus one cold March morning.

Northbrook UMC confirmands volunteered - and had a lot of fun while working hard!

Volunteers from Word of Faith church's singles ministry.

Youth from Sacred Tapestry UMC volunteered on a beautiful March morning.

Thank you to all of our volunteers who keep our campus safe and beautiful!

The first step in helping abused or neglected children is learning to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect. The presence of a single sign does not prove child abuse is occurring in a family, but a closer look at the situation may be warranted when these signs appear repeatedly or in combination:

The Child:

Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance

Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents’ attention

Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes

Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen

Lacks adult supervision

Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn

Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home

Reports abusive behavior

The Parent:

Shows little concern for the child

Denies the existence of—or blames the child for—the child’s problems in school or at home

Asks teachers or other caregivers to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves

Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome

Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve

Looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and satisfaction of emotional needs

The Parent and Child:

Rarely touch or look at each other

Consider their relationship entirely negative

State that they do not like each other

Click here for more resources and detailed information on the signs of physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect – which is the leading cause of children being placed in DFCS custody.

If you do suspect a child is being harmed, reporting your suspicions may protect the child and get help for the family. ANY concerned person can report suspicions of child abuse and neglect. Some people – including doctors, clergy, teachers, police officers and anyone who works or volunteers at a child service organization like UMCH – are called mandatory reporters and are required by law to make a report of child maltreatment.

UMCH provides mandatory reporter training to all our volunteers. Free trainings are available through the state for anyone who is a mandatory reporter (click here).

To report child abuse in Georgia, please contact your county local DFCS office or the local police department. After hours (between 5 p.m. and 8:30 a.m.) call 1-855-GACHILD.

Our GED and high school students acquired hands on history lessons and became their own advocates as they spoke out in support of Georgia House Bill 242. HB242 is a rewrite of the Juvenile Justice Code that would expand their DFCS (Division of Family and Children Services) custody age to 23 and mandate certain individual rights such as legal counsel and unsupervised court-allowed family visits.

They began by writing letters, and many of them went to the state capitol on Feb. 12th to hand-deliver the letters to their state representative, Rep. Wendell Willard.

The students were able to see other bills being voted on.

A few days later, they each received (to their amazement), a letter from Rep. Willard in the mail, thanking them for their communication and concern. That response produced a fervor in them that could not be quenched.

Determined more than ever to see this bill through, they followed the progress of the bill as it passed the House and became slated for the Senate Judiciary Committee March 13.

The students asked to return to the capital on March 13, and began writing more letters and collecting signatures in support of the bill.

When they returned this week, they spoke with Senators Josh McKoon, who is endorsing the bill, and Jason Carter (their senator). Then they were able to sit in the meeting and watch as the bill was passed through the committee!

After it passed Rep. Willard asked the students to stand up and be recognized for their advocacy. Then Sen. Jason Carter boasted and said, “I just want everyone to know that these students are from my district!” Our residents were glowing!

Then a week later, our tenacious and passionate students again traveled to the Georgia capital for the Senate vote. This was the final step, and our residents had front-row seats in the galley as the Senate passed the bill. They immediately sent a text message to Julie Rogers-Martin, our Education Coordinator who began this entire process with them. Julie says “They are on cloud nine right now knowing that they helped to enact a positive change for youth in Georgia.”

Are you part of our Facebook community? We’ve built quite a family of generous friends on our Facebook page. Here are our top posts of 2012. Like our page now to follow us in 2013.

1. The Playground!

Our Facebook family responded in a huge way during our online competition to win a grant from The Home Depot Foundation to build a new playground. We came in second place and won a $5,000 grant, then raised enough money to make the playground a reality. Our most popular photos of 2012 showed Home Depot volunteers building the playground and our children playing happily.

2. Praying Together

We frequently post prayer requests, and welcomes and good-byes. We are humbled by the faithful prayers of our Facebook friends.

3. Room Service Atlanta Makeover of Sam Bell Cottage

You feel like you’re stepping into the pages of a magazine when you enter Sam Bell Cottage, thanks to a group of incredibly talented designers and bloggers who renovated the cottage from floor to ceiling and everything in between! You can also see more pictures on our Pinterest Board.

4. Volunteer Groups

We love to brag on our volunteers. Here are our top posts about some awesome groups that blessed us with their time and talents in 2012.

5. Campus Updates

We often post campus news and notes about what our children, youth and families are up to.

6. Responding to Needs

Our Facebook family is generous and we are so grateful. Whether it’s collecting diapers or spreading the word about our need for foster families, we have been blessed by everyone’s support in 2012.

We can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store. Join us on Facebook or keep checking on our website to see!

UPDATE:

We have a great update on the story of Owen (below)! Owen’s mom, Linda, earned a promotion at her job and Owen is doing great in school. Even more, this year was the first time Owen celebrated Christmas. The family could never afford gifts before now, but this year Linda was proud and grateful to be able to see the wonder of Christmas on his face. For Owen and all of our children at UMCH, your gift will provide them with things we often take for granted – beds of their own, places to play, Christmas joy, and even a cartoon toothbrush. Start the year off with an act of generosity. Please give today.

MEET OWEN

Little Owen came to live at The United Methodist Children’s Home (UMCH) with his mom, Linda, and sister, Jen, after living in a car for several long months.

When every new family moves in, our staff carefully stock the apartment with basic supplies and toiletries. For Owen, these essentials were so much more than basic.

Upon first glance of his new toothbrush – featuring his favorite cartoon character – Owen was so excited that he could barely speak.

The first words uttered by Owen were, “Thank you, Jesus!” He hugged his mother, our staff, and continued clutching his toothbrush saying “Thank you, thank you!”

For Owen and all of our children at UMCH, your gift will provide them with things we often take for granted – beds of their own, places to play, and even a cartoon toothbrush.

* Your gift of $45 cares for one child for one day in the Family Housing program.

* A gift of $70 cares for one child for two days.

* Your gift of $120 provides a home for an entire family for a day.

Click here to make an online donation. The sooner you respond, the faster we can help more families in the North Georgia area.

Your gift supports families like Owen’s, as well as children in our foster homes, youth living on our campus, and children in our after-school program — providing them the guidance to overcome their past and reach a brighter future. Thank you for giving generously today.